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Porsche in C-charge legal fight Porsche in C-charge legal fight
(about 2 hours later)
Porsche has filed its court bid to quash the proposed congestion charge rise for high polluting vehicles.Porsche has filed its court bid to quash the proposed congestion charge rise for high polluting vehicles.
The car maker's legal challenge comes as London's mayor, Ken Livingstone, plans to raise the daily charge from £8 to £25 for the most polluting cars.The car maker's legal challenge comes as London's mayor, Ken Livingstone, plans to raise the daily charge from £8 to £25 for the most polluting cars.
In its High Court action Porsche described the rise, which comes into effect on 27 October in central London, as "unfair" and an "illegal" action.In its High Court action Porsche described the rise, which comes into effect on 27 October in central London, as "unfair" and an "illegal" action.
The mayor has said Porsche's claims are not supported by Londoners. Transport for London (TfL) said Porsche's challenge was "unfounded".
Under the plans the highest carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions cars will be required to pay £25 congestion charge whereas cars with the lowest emissions will get a 100% discount on the charge.
'Pointless legal action'
Andy Goss, managing director of Porsche Cars GB, said: "Not only is this new tax on motorists unfair, it is also a disproportionate and illegal use of power by the mayor.Andy Goss, managing director of Porsche Cars GB, said: "Not only is this new tax on motorists unfair, it is also a disproportionate and illegal use of power by the mayor.
"The Porsche case is about protecting London and Londoners from a new tax that will not only fail to reduce CO2 emissions in central London, but also increase congestion and damage air quality.""The Porsche case is about protecting London and Londoners from a new tax that will not only fail to reduce CO2 emissions in central London, but also increase congestion and damage air quality."
A poll commissioned by Mr Livingstone found that 61% of Londoners backed the decision to increase the congestion charge for the highest-polluting vehicles entering central London. Michele Dix, managing director of planning for TfL, said: "We have already made clear that we believe Porsche's reasons for objecting to the proposed CO2 Charge are unfounded.
The Ipsos-Mori poll also found that 67% said they were in favour of the proposed 100% discount for vehicles emitting the lowest levels of carbon dioxide. "We believe they should focus their attention on cutting CO2 emissions from the cars they produce, rather than pursuing this pointless legal action which we will vigorously contest when it reaches Judicial Review."
A judge will decide whether the case should have a full hearing.A judge will decide whether the case should have a full hearing.